“Having so considered our day, not omitting to take due note of things well done, and having searched our hearts with neither fear nor favor, we can truly thank God for the blessings we have received and sleep in good conscience.” (Page 96, Big Book)
Gratitude focuses on my receipt of something and on my emotional condition. To feel gratitude is to think about oneself. It’s self-centred. “I’m feeling grateful” works on its own without the adjunct indicating one what is grateful for or to whom one is grateful.
Slightly different is appreciation: the focus is on the thing appreciated and the person behind it. People don’t really say, “I’m feeling appreciative”. They say, “I appreciate you [doing this or that]”.
Gratitude brings me back to me.
Appreciation takes me out to the world and to God.